Switch from Alfred Snippets to Retext
Export each Alfred collection and import it into Retext. Collection prefixes and suffixes are stripped, collections become tags, and Alfred's date, time, clipboard and cursor placeholders convert.
- Reads
- Alfred snippet collection (.alfredsnippets)
- Where it runs
- On your Mac. Nothing is uploaded.
- Shortcut
- File → Import Snippets… (⇧⌘I)
Step 1: Export from Alfred
- 1
Open Alfred's Snippets settings
Open Alfred Preferences and go to Features → Snippets.
- 2
Export a collection
Right-click a collection in the left column and choose Export. Alfred saves it as an .alfredsnippets file named after the collection.
- 3
Repeat for each collection
Each collection is its own file. Keep the file names, because Retext uses them as tags.
Step 2: Import into Retext
- 4
Open the importer
In Retext, choose File → Import Snippets… (⇧⌘I), or go to Settings → Snippets → Import….
- 5
Pick the file
Retext works out the format from the file itself. Everything is read on your Mac. Nothing is uploaded.
- 6
Review the preview
Every snippet gets a row with its new trigger. Rows show placeholders that were kept as text, items that can't be imported and why, and any trigger you already use. Untick anything you don't want.
- 7
Import
Click Import. Your snippets work right away in every app. Type ;trigger to expand.
What carries over
Alfred's placeholders use curly braces like Retext's. Most convert directly. Alfred's default date style is a little shorter than Retext's.
| In Alfred | In Retext | Notes |
|---|---|---|
{date:long} | {date} | |
{date}, {date:medium} | {date}Approximate: Oct 28, 2026 becomes October 28, 2026 | Approximate: Oct 28, 2026 becomes October 28, 2026 |
{date:short} | {date:short} | |
{date +7D} | {date+7}Offsets in days | Offsets in days |
{date +7d:short} | {date+7:short} | |
{time}, {time:short}, {time:medium} | {time} | |
{date:EEEE} | {day} | |
{clipboard}, {clipboard:0} | {clipboard} | |
{cursor} | {cursor} | |
{snippet:keyword} | {snippet:keyword} |
Kept as text
These import, but the placeholder stays as written. The preview lists them on each row so you can edit them after.
- • {random:…}
- • {datetime} and {isodate}
- • {clipboard:1} and other clipboard history offsets
- • Text transforms
Not imported
These show in the preview as "can't import", with the reason.
- • Nothing is skipped by format. A snippet without a keyword uses its name as the trigger, and the preview notes it.
Groups and tags
Each collection becomes a tag, taken from the file name (Alfred doesn't store the name inside the file).
Triggers and conflicts
The collection's keyword prefix and suffix are removed, Retext's semicolon goes in front, and triggers are lowercased.
| Alfred trigger | Retext trigger |
|---|---|
\\sig (collection prefix \\) | ;sig |
addr! | ;addr |
!!date | ;date |
If you already have a snippet with the same trigger, the preview says so and you choose for each one:
- Keep Both (the default) imports it under a new trigger with a source prefix, so
;sigbecomes;alf-sig. A prefix is used instead of a suffix because;sig-2could never be typed:;sigwould fire first. - Skip leaves your existing snippet alone.
- Replace swaps in the imported content. Your snippet keeps its trigger, and tags are merged.
Two snippets with the same trigger inside one file can be kept (renamed) or skipped. Triggers are also checked against Retext's rules (2 to 40 characters, no line breaks, no snippet that contains its own trigger), and anything that fails shows why.
What you get after switching
Dictation
Hold a key and talk. Retext turns speech into text on your Mac, types it into the app you're in, and takes voice commands (beta) like "insert snippet sig", so your imported snippets work by voice too.
Autocomplete (beta)
Start typing a trigger and Retext shows the snippet as ghost text, with dynamic fields filled in. Press Tab to accept. You don't have to remember every abbreviation you imported.
Per-app snippets
Limit a snippet to the apps it belongs in, or keep it out of others, so the same trigger can say one thing in Mail and another in Slack.
Teams
Share a snippet library with your team, with owner, admin, editor and viewer roles, managed from the Mac app.
When to stay with Alfred
Retext isn't the right move for everyone. Stay if:
- •You already own the Powerpack (£34 one-time) and use Alfred's workflows and clipboard history every day.
- •Your snippets lean on {clipboard:1}, {random} or text transforms.
- •You want one app for launching, clipboard and snippets.
FAQ
›Do I need Alfred's Powerpack to export?
Snippets are a Powerpack feature in Alfred, so if you have snippets you have the Powerpack. Export from Features → Snippets by right-clicking a collection.
›Why does {date} look different after importing?
Alfred's default date style is medium (Oct 28, 2026) and Retext's {date} is long (October 28, 2026). Retext maps it to the closest field and notes it on the row.
›What happens to my collection prefix?
It's removed. If a collection uses \\ as its prefix, \\sig becomes ;sig. Every Retext trigger starts with a semicolon instead.
›Will my clipboard history snippets work?
{clipboard} and {clipboard:0} convert to Retext's {clipboard}. {clipboard:1} and deeper offsets stay as text.
›How many snippets can I import for free?
The free plan holds 5 snippets. The preview shows how many fit and lets you choose. Pro has no limit.
Bring your Alfred snippets with you
Download Retext, press ⇧⌘I, and pick your file. Your snippets work in every app on your Mac in a few minutes.